Life paths are never as one expects, that's what's said, and Benny could not agree more. Life was playing a very funny game with him, he used to have a secret and now he'd two; a dream and a woman. Benny grinned ironically as he took a seat at the back of the dark glass desk. A dream and a woman, who would have said! Actually, no one could tell, no one expected that from him. Not a frustrated dream nor an affair, even if he had a notorious list of women who crashed into his arms. If he was honest to himself, not even he believed it. Benny let out a long sigh, crossed his hands behind his neck and stared at the ceiling.
Nobody, expect one person, knew, and no one had to. Frida was his biggest secret, the one that lately kept him up at night, and that after the splendid afternoon they spent together he couldn't stop thinking of. His vicious mind was trapped in a kind of a spell, it felt good though, good and exciting. She made good to him, she brought happiness and hope to him, she made him feel in a special way, as if he was the most important man in the world. Benny held his breath at that thought, still looking up. It was dangerous, yet he couldn't stop, he wanted more, more of her, more time, more laughs, more hugs, more kisses, more stolen caresses, more...
"Pfff." He buffed and shut his eyes off. Yes yes, he couldn't keep his hands away from her lately, he was a weak man after all. But maybe it was for the best, to maintain a physical limit so any of them would take this more serious. But it was already serious, wasn't it? He still wanted to protect her, to make her feel secure, safe and at ease. But now, every time she looked at him with those eyes full of life and warmth, Benny knew she was clinging on him. He'd win the biggest liar of the year prize if he said he didn't feel the same. After his proposal and her rejection, Benny realized he was getting attached to her as well, more than he intended. Such realization didn't bother him, but now he couldn't stop overthinking about it.
Benny ran a hand across his face and looked down at the papers on the desk. A slow, shy smile appeared on his lips. He liked his secrets, he liked the way they moved his soul, the way they made him feel there was a worthy reason to wake up every morning and not only obligations or appearances to fulfill.
The black folder caught his attention and he opened it, his smile became wider and he nodded in excitement. A glance of his dream in front of him, it brought butterflies to his stomach. Carefully, Benny took the various images that showed what he'd been working on since his return from France. Finally his secret efforts gave results, it made him extremely happy and proud of himself. He was materializing what he always wanted by his own, with anybody's help, even so, after all this stealth, right at this moment he wished he could share it with someone, with that woman whose bright eyes were tattooed in his mind.
Getting carried away by the impulse, Benny grabbed his cellphone and texted her.
7:21 pm. Benny: Do you miss me already?
He stared at the screen for long seconds. Frida wasn't online, it said her last time online was around an hour ago, even so he hoped she'd respond soon, because truth is he did miss her and wanted her to come to the party, just as he wanted to share his secret with her.
Benny sighed and dropped the phone on the desk. Such a dreamer, he thought. He was asking too much, and life was being too generous at this moment, the wisest decision was not to temp the waters and let everything flow as it came. He only hoped a positive outcome.
—
"So, you're leaving again..." Frida, arms crossed, pointed out as she watched Henry untie his red tie. He was dressed on his typical black suit and white shirt.
Henry sighed loudly, dedicating her an exasperated look. "Yes, again. And as many times as it's required."
"May I know why?"
